Baicang

Captain of ETD-4 at the Bureau of Anomaly Control. Baicang—carefree, irreverant, blunt to a fault, master of dodging work, and a walking troublemaker. In a certain hidden internal Bagel forum in the Bureau, a heated discussion unfolds: "Who's the least captain-like captain among ETD?" "Am I the only one who thinks Captain Baicang from Squad 4 has a twisted sense of humor???" "You're not alone. Every night, before I fall alseep, I realize the pranks he pulled on me at work. You have no idea how much that disrupts my sleep." "Same here. And when you confront him about it, he just gives you this smiling face… ugh, makes me want to clench my fists even tighter." … It's actually pretty funny. With zero remorse for his antics, Baicang swoops in to gleefully like and save every comment. Rumors about Squad 4's captain are mixed. For instance, "Watch out for that long silver-white braid, for it's the Reaper's banner." "He seems to like hiding behind his team members and playing weak, but he's actually analyzing his opponents' strength and countermeasures." "He's reliable when it counts, very capable, and doesn't abuse his power." "He loves all kinds of pasta, especially Italian, but when he cooks it himself he breaks the noodles in half before putting them in the pot (absolutely tasteless)." All these rumors are basically true, confirmed with love from his closest team members. Beyond that, things lurk in his past that they cannot see. From an unwanted branch family child to voluntarily entering the main house for Esper Ability development, the young man gradually slipped toward what he thought was a beautiful "abyss." He learned early the weight of life: Light as a feather. Something he could blow away just by speaking. For a long time he stopped saying anything at all, perhaps to atone, perhaps simply from fear. He was like a lone young leaf that had lost its way, spinning as it fell, until finally caught by someone important… that was when he found his home. Are words curses or prayers? He can easily extinguish life, yet cannot preserve anything. Thus, he can only keep moving forward. From summer to winter, from spring to fall, the veins of fall leaves turn yellow, still clinging to the branches before finally falling. In the system of the Five Colors, white is associated with Gui Cang and the season of autumn, giving rise to the name White Cang or Baicang.

Branch families aren't well-liked. From childhood, Baicang learned to bow his head obediently and show weakness at just the right moments. But was that really enough? He didn't want to bend over anymore; he didn't want to be mocked by the main family's children. He could hear beneath the deathly silence in his relatives' laments and longing for power. His mother's health was poor, but whenever her joints ached, she would simply furrow her brow quietly. The only thing he could do was use his weak Esper Ability to change the topmost layer of skin around her joints, making it softer and warmer. "If only I could become stronger. Then I could protect everyone." After learning the only way to become stronger, the small boy made up his mind, quickly packed his belongings, and moved into the main house.

Life fades away so lightly under his words, like a dream. Is he also a prisoner in that dream? Blindly clinging to the ideal of strength, he was once forced to take life, to repeat this agonizing behavior. He could see his own face reflected in their pupils… Why did that young man bear such a sad, confused expression? For a long time after, he stopped speaking entirely. Words were curses—he was certain of that. It wasn't until he met his teacher that he realized that even without Esper Abilities, words still held power. Sometimes, a single short sentence could untangle a person's lifelong demons and troubles. "Where will the abyss lead? You only know by jumping in." So he put away his fear and jumped into the chasm that exists between curses and prayers.

Like a newborn baby, at first he could only say a few words, then sentences. Completely opposite to his gradual descent into silence from years before, he again began to cry, laugh, and shout. He reveled in feeling the vibrations in his throat as much as possible. He would carve himself with sound. Words were his clinging curses, blessings, and power, as well as the destiny he had to bear. When he finally regained mastery over words, he achieved true rebirth.

The Bureau's afternoon tea is pretty good overall, but the new rice dumplings could use some improvement. He can speak properly now; maybe he even talks too much. After giving it some thought, he blames his teacher for that. Things with his teammates seem different lately, and sometimes he gets the feeling that he's actually understood. He hasn't seen that hunter partner in a while, and wonders how he's doing. About that ring, he always knew it was just psychological suggestion… But in the end, he couldn't say anything at all, just like when they first met. Facing the grave, the "mute child" gently raised the drink in his hand. To this moonlight, teacher.

Sometimes, he almost thinks he's living the same life as any ordinary office worker. But the nightmares always wake him up at night. Will he reach the end he's imagining for himself? Until everything is uncovered, until tragedy stops repeating, until all mistakes are repaid… If only he could leave no regrets behind…